“While the dairy sector has done a good job facing its challenges for a decade, these keep coming. And understandably this has taken a toll on some farmers. I hope to provide them with tools to help them be more resilient.”

Malone likens dairy farmers challenges to a marathon, not a sprint. And while the changes are coming fast they are constant and farmers need to be prepared to stay the distance.

“At times farmers feel as though they’re in a race to meet all the new regulations and consumer expectations coming at them thick and fast. The finish line seems a long way off.

“While I’ve never worked in the dairy sector, I can relate to what farmers are going through. But they’ve put in the training and they’re off the starting blocks and that’s half the battle.”

SIDE event chairman Simon Topham says the first day of the event will focus on ‘Celebrating Today’ and the second day will look at ‘Investing in Tomorrow’.

“SIDE will celebrate farmers’ sheer grit and drive to constantly do better by their people, cows and environment. The sector has come a long way in a relatively short time and farmers have a lot to be proud of.

“SIDE is an opportunity for farmers to get together, celebrate their wins and discuss the future of dairy.”

Twenty years ago the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) launched its forum for farmers to gain and apply the knowledge, skills and technology needed to improve their business. SIDE chairwoman Robyn Williams spoke about this year’s event.